Flamboyant discus thrower Benn Harradine has improved his own national discus record in a low-key meet in Townsville.

Harradine sent the discus sailing to a world leading 67.53 at the Townsville Student and Allcomers Games to improve his previous mark of 66.45m set in 2010.

“I threw a foul to start, and then improved from there with a couple of Olympic qualifying throws and of course the big new PB in round three,” said Harradine.

“It was a bit different up here from what I’ve been getting used to in Canberra where it’s been pretty cold so that was something that shocked the system today. It’s a great indicator of where I am at and that’s exciting as I prepare to head back to Europe, hopefully via Doha, to compete.

“I’m on a wait list for Round 1 of the Diamond League in Doha next week and this is a world lead so fingers crossed this will get me across the line, if I don’t throw there it’ll be back to Germany with my first comp probably in Halle on May 20.”

In an impressive day for Australian throwing former Commonwealth Games champion Scott Martin recorded his first Olympic A-qualifier with a throw of 65.53, at the Altius Track Crew Throwdown in the United States.

The performance is likely to be good enough to earn discretionary selection for the London Olympics alongside Harradine and 20-year-old Julian Wruck.